If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Websleuths News

Join Websleuths Radio for the final discussion of THE KILLING SEASON
with Josh Zemam, Rachel Mills and special guests including Bob Kolker author of Lost Girls

Several people were injured and the suspect died at Crossroads Center Saturday after a stabbing was reported about 8:15 p.m.

St. Cloud Police Sgt. Jason Burke told the Times multiple victims were taken to the hospital.

Later, in a 10 p.m. news conference, Burke confirmed that the suspect was killed and that his body was still inside the mall. Burke said an undetermined number of people still remain inside the mall, and that the investigation is ongoing. He said police would provide an update at about 11 p.m.

Shortly before 9 p.m., a St. Cloud police officer with an assault rifle could be seen near the west entrance of Macy’s. Other officers were searching shrubbery near the mall with flashlights, according to Times staffers on the scene.

"It was a pa-pow, and then we saw the people start to run, which didn't catch me at first," he said. "But when we heard the screaming, then we knew it was time to go."

The couple escaped unharmed and said they helped another woman who was running from the scene to her car.

A stabbing at a mall in central Minnesota Saturday evening left multiple people injured, police said, confirming that the attacker is dead.

Police locked down the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud after the stabbing, which was reported around 8:30 p.m. Central time. The conditions of the injured were unclear.

“I went closer to the mall entrance by J.C. Penney’s and I was looking at some jeans and all the sudden people were just running in chaos,” Ashley Bayne, who works at the mall, told WCCO. “They were screaming, ‘Someone’s stabbing people in the mall,’ and people were just really frantic and were running.”

Suspect killed after several people stabbed at St. Cloud mall
Hillary Clinton told the Associated Press she was briefed on the Minnesota attack.

The suspect was killed inside the mall, said Sgt. Jason Burke. He confirmed several people were taken to a hospital for treatment, but their conditions were unknown.

The mall attack got some national exposure when Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton mentioned it, saying she’d been briefed about the incident as well as explosions in New York and New Jersey, according to the Associated Press. She called on the nation to support first responders and to pray for victims, the AP reported. She told reporters traveling with her that she will have more to say when more is known about the incidents, according to AP reports.

Early St. Cloud police audio said the suspect was wearing security or police clothing, but there was no confirmation of that detail, reported on mnpoliceclips.com.

Burke said police planned a media update at 11 p.m., but reports at the scene said no briefing had been called by 11:30.

MN - 8 People Injured During Stabbing Attack at Minnesota Mall

A knife-wielding suspect who was dressed in a private security uniform and made references to Allah while attacking at least eight people during a mass stabbing incident at a Minnesota shopping mall was shot dead by an off-duty police officer, authorities said.

St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said during a news conference that eight people were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the attack first reported about 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Crossroads Center. One person was admitted. No further details were released.

But Anderson declined to call the attacks an act of terrorism, saying the motive for the attacks isn't known yet. "We will be diligent and get to the bottom of this," Anderson said. "Starting tomorrow, things won't be the same here."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
- Audrey Hepburn

In a news conference, Burke confirmed that the suspect was killed by an off-duty police officer. The suspect was wearing a private security outfit. Police believe that the suspect acted alone.

<snip>

Just before 11 p.m., St. Cloud Hospital Communications Specialist Chris Nelson told the St. Cloud Times that eight patients were taken to the hospital; seven were treated and released, one was admitted.

"At approximately 8 p.m., an armed suspect entered the Crossroads Mall. That individual made some references to Allah and we confirmed that he asked at least one person if they were Muslim before assaulting them," said St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson.

According to authorities, the suspect was later shot by an off-duty police officer from another jurisdiction. Investigators say the suspect was carrying at least one knife.

Of the eight victims, one was admitted to the hospital. Investigators say the injuries were not life threatening.

Police believe the suspect acted alone.

"Right now we don't have any information that would indicate that anyone else is involved," said Anderson.

Authorities say the suspect was wearing a private security uniform at the time of the attack. They say they had contact with the suspect in the past, but all of those cases were for minor traffic violations.

Anderson declined to call the stabbing a terrorist attack, saying the motive for the attacks isn't known yet. "We will be diligent and get to the bottom of this," Anderson said, adding that St. Cloud Police had prior contact with the suspect, but only related to traffic stops.

A suspect in a series of stabbing attacks at a St. Cloud shopping mall Saturday night was killed inside the mall by an off-duty officer, according to St. Cloud police.

In a media briefing after midnight Sunday, St. Cloud police chief William Blair Anderson said an off-duty officer from another jurisdiction confronted and killed the suspect. He said the suspect — who was dressed in a private security uniform — reportedly asked at least one victim whether they were Muslim before assaulting them, and referred to Allah during the attacks.

Anderson declined to call the stabbing a terrorist attack, saying the motive for the attacks isn't known yet. "We will be diligent and get to the bottom of this," Anderson said, adding that St. Cloud Police had prior contact with the suspect, but only related to traffic stops.

"It's an awful day," Anderson said, adding that St. Cloud "won't be the same" after the attack.

Officers responded to a report of several stabbings at Crossroads Center mall about 8:15 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots as well, but it’s not known if the reports stemmed from the same incident.

The stabbings occurred in several places within the mall: corridors, businesses and common areas.

"The entire mall is an active crime scene," Anderson said.

Emergency vehicles surround one end Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud on Saturday night after a man attacked multiple people.

The shooting happened inside Macy's, according to St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis.

Eight patients were taken to St. Cloud Hospital. On Sunday morning, hospital Communications Specialist Chris Nelson told the Times that five were released, and three were admitted with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Everyone should feel safe in their community -- whether they're at school or a movie theater or a shopping mall. Last night that feeling of safety was greatly shaken when an assailant stabbed eight people at the Crossroads Center Mall in St. Cloud. I have visited the mall many times, and I can't imagine the horror experienced by those visiting and working there. My heart goes out to the victims and all those who were there last night.

While we will learn more about the facts surrounding this horrific attack today, one thing we know for certain this morning: Due to the courageous actions of an off-duty area police officer, the good work of first responders, and the reaction of those present at the mall, lives were saved.

I have spoken with both Mayor Kleis and Chief Anderson in St. Cloud. They are both strong leaders, and I know they will do everything necessary to investigate this stabbing and get all the facts out to the community. Citizens and civic and religious leaders in St. Cloud have worked hard over the years to bridge divides and come together.

Over the next few days we will learn the facts. But today there is one thing we all share: We are thankful for the bravery of the off-duty officer and first responders who went beyond the call of duty to save lives.

An international news agency is reporting that ISIS is claiming a supporter is responsible for the stabbings. Reuters investigating.

ISIS claims supporter was behind Minnesota mall stabbings

An Islamic state supporter carried out the stabbing attack that wounded at least eight people at a mall in the US state of Minnesota on Saturday, the militant group's Amaq news agency said.

"The executor of the stabbing attacks in Minnesota yesterday was a soldier of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls to target the citizens of countries belonging to the crusader coalition," Amaq said in a statement.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the authenticity of the claim.

CAIRO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - An Islamic State supporter carried out the stabbing attack that wounded at least eight people at a mall in the U.S. state of Minnesota on Saturday, the militant group’s Amaq news agency said.

“The executor of the stabbing attacks in Minnesota yesterday was a soldier of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls to target the citizens of countries belonging to the crusader coalition,” Amaq said in a statement.

The FBI is investigating the Crossroads Center knife attacks on Saturday as "a potential act of terrorism."

Nine people were injured by an attacker who was killed inside the Macy's store by an off-duty Avon police officer.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis identified that officer as Jason Falconer during a press conference Sunday.

A short time earlier, St. Cloud Somali-American community members identified the deceased suspect as Dahir Adan.

Leaders of the Somali-American community in St. Cloud gathered Sunday with his family and issued a statement of sympathy for the family and the nine victims of the attack.

Community leader Abdul Kulane said as far as the family and community know, the suspect did not have any history of violence. He was known as a smart, accomplished student at Apollo High School. He was a junior at St. Cloud State University, Kulane said. Adan was also working part-time as a private security officer, leaders said.

The last time he was seen by family was about 6 or 6:30 p.m. Saturday when he said he was going to the mall to buy an iPhone 7. They don't know what happened after that.